Author uses his own life experience for 'gritty' debut novel

WRITER WORKED IN CLOSE PROTECTION AND SURVEILLANCE

- By EVA MILLETT

AN author based in Uttoxeter has released a gritty debut thriller inspired by his former work in close protection and surveillance.

Dexter O'Hara's Missing Pieces, which was published on February 12 by Olympia Publishers, follows Ashley Pyke on a relentless quest to find Jayne Earl, a young woman lost to a world of exploitation.

Haunted by past memories and urgent leads, Ashley navigates dangerous networks and alliances to uncover the truth.

Alongside his determined team, Ashley's search brings him closer to Jayne, but also to an insidious criminal operation that thrives in the dark corners of society.

As he fights against time and growing peril, Ashley is forced to confront not just the criminals, but his own demons.

Dexter moved to Uttoxeter when he was nine years old, where he attended Thomas Alleyne's School and his parents both taught locally.

He has trained and worked internationally in the close protection, surveillance and investigation sectors, as well as founding an organisation aimed at locating and recovering vulnerable people from trafficking or controlling groups.

"In my work I met people who went through difficult decision making," Dexter said. "They were missing members of their family, and they had no clear route.

"The authorities in this country are wonderful. They do an astounding job compared to other countries - this was a big source of inspiration for the book."